Garden implement



March 13, 1928. 1,662,674

F. HURKA GARDEN IMPLEMENT Filed June 24, 1924 Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

FRANK IH.'Ult-KAy OF-B`ALLSTON SA,

GARDEN IMPLEMENT. i

Application led .Tune 24, 1924. Serial I\Tro.722,G 8-7.

The present invention relates to cultivating devices, and more particularly to a hand implement intended for use in a small garden where it is not convenient or necessary to employ a power driven implement. lleretofore, so tar as I am aware,it has been customary under such circumstances to loosen and turn up Vthe lsoil by means ot ahand spade or similar tool, which is very laborious and tiring work, since it requires constant stooping and lifting on the part of the tiller.

The invention seeks to provide a hand tool which may be operated with a minimum of eli'ort, and which will function in much the same manner as the usual horse or tractor drawn device. This inventionv is an improvement upon the implement disclosed in my cri-pending application Serial No. 567,- 368, tiled June 10, 1922.

A further object ot the invention is to provide an implement which is oi simple construction, which may be economically made and sold at a comparatively low price, and which may be either pushed or drawn, as the operator may desire.

The invention further aims to provide a construct-ion in which the tool portion proper, such as a plow or .series of cultiva'tor teeth may be removably and adjustably positioned thereon, permitting variation in the depth of the soil turned up, and also enabling the operator to substitute one tool or ground penetrating element for another.

Another object of the invention is to afford a construction in which the tool portion, such as the plowl proper, may, `by

movement ot ka suitable d aft arm, be forced into the ground with but little etl'ort on the part ot' the o-perator.` The invention further seeks to insure even penetration of the ground by the tool as the implement is moved along and has as an object the provision of suitable connections between the draft arm and the tool whereby the pull et' the operator in working theimpleinent at the same time maintains the tool propel' in the ground.

Additional objects of the inventiomsueh as rigidity and durability of construction, effective operation and other objects of a more minutecharacter `which are more closely connected with the details of the embodiment disclosed in the accompanying drawings wilbeeome obvious as the description proceeds, i

The invention consists, broadly, of an iin-` ypivotally connected to the link to operate the same'and has a portion engaging ,the beainso that movement ot' the arm will etfect `pivotal movement ot' the beam to cause the tool to penetrate the ground.

The above general description of the device indicates the broader characteristics ot' the invention, although it will be understood that some olf the features mentioned above may be modified without departing from the scope ot the invention, which is defined by the prior art and `more definitely set'forth in the claims following this description. y

Referring tothe drawings, wherein there is shown for purposes of disclosure cilic embodiment of the invention,

tone spesok Fig. 1 is a side elevational viewot the device prior to operation. n p Y y Fig. 2 is a side elevational view showing the draft arm moved to positionfor ope-ration ot' the implement ywith the tool penetratingthe ground, and Y Figi 3 is a bottomplan View. i In the drawings l() indicates a ground engagingsupporting member which,vin the present instance,\isin the form ot a wheel or roller mounted. upon an axle l1, having bearings in afyoke l2. The yoke ispreierably iformed by two strips oitimetal provided with parallel .juXta-posed ends 13, between which is positioned and secured by means ci rivets 14, the end otra. substantially U-shape bracket 15 extending upwardly and rearwardly and having a depending portion 15, which carries a pivot pin lo for the end of a drat't arm 17.` ,The yoke l2 may be considered as constituting` a link in the device. Vhile the bracketvl is shown as a. separate element, it will be understood that the same may be integral with `the yoke 12`i desired.

Thedraft arml is formed by means of a pair of entensionstrips 18, which are pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the bracket 15 on pivot pin 16, and at their opposite ends are connected to a suitable handle portion 1S). By means of the draft arm 1T the implement may be either pushed or pulled. and in Fig. 2. it is sho vn swung to operative position about its pivot 1G. ,lt will be noted that the pivoted end of the arm is curved upwardly and adjacent this end the same is formed with slots 20, through which project a stud 2l. to which is pivotally connected a link Q2 connected at its opposite end to a stud 23 positioned in the portion lf3 of the yoke 1Q. The studs ill and Eil also p through a tool beam 2t termed. preferal'ily, from a pair of metallic eti-ips, which are f pivot-.illy connected to the yol-:e 1Q by means of the stud Q3. The stud 21 serves to connect the beain to the draft arm 1T. )it its free end the beam carries a pair of blocks 25 provided with regietering.;l sot-lieti: t3 adapted to receive the shank :2T of a .Quit-able ground penetrating` tool 2S, such as a plow. Any suitable gripping means. auch aa clamping bolts '29 which pass through the beam. may be employed to engage the tool shank. lt will he observed that the tool may be adjustd ed vertically` in the socket :lli to vary the depth of the furrow. and may also be removed when a tool of dill'erenttype is to be employed.

The tool beam Q4 is positioned beneath the draft arm 1T. so that movement of the latter downwardly about its pivot; lt may transmit pressure to the beam and thereby force the tool 2S into the ground. Any suitable connection may be employed. but the preferred connection is illustrated in tho drawings and includes the stud 21 extendintor through the draft' arm and the tool beam. the latter beingl provided with slots Qt). which permit free movement of the beam about its pivot stud :7.3 as the draft arm is moved either upwardly or downwardly. The lilik 22 is not provided with elongated slots, but is held against longitudinal movement relative to the studs Q1 and 23, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 3. Consequently, either a pushing or pulling strain applied to the draft arm 1T will be transmitted to the device and supporting' wheel lt) through the bracket 15 and link independently of the tool beam 2l.

In operation of the implement the several parts are initially in their relative position shown in Fig. l, with the point of the tool resting uponv the ground and the draft arm extending upwardly. lVhen t-he operator exerts a forward and downward pressure upon the draft arm. there results a pivotal movement of the arm about the pin 16. the beam :i2-l is moved about its pivot stud forcing` the tool into the ground. As the operator draws the. implement along;r the ground forwardly or toward thev right as viewed` in Figure 1, the penetration of the tool continues until the beam 2l is moved to aubstantially the position shown in Figure :3. The draft arm is then inclined in substantially the angle shown in the sume ligure, and the implement may be readily drawn alongr willi the parts in this: position by com. )fiaratively little exertion on the part oll the operator.

lt will be observed that the draft arm is connected to the tool beam close to the fulcrum of the arm so that tbe saine server: af a lever in l'f'ircinej the tool bean: about itx pivot. Since the draft arm endend a .--ub- .atantial difitance above its' point ol' ronneeA tion with the tool beam, it will torre llitool into the ground very readily and the depth of the cui may be varied la.' adjusting4 the tool vertically which is accomplished by loosening the clamping bolts 213.

Due to the arrangement of parts the arm iT may be employed to push the iniplemmit when this is desirable. Under auch circu|n stances, it' :i tool ol' the type shown in the drawings is to be emi'iloyed this need @imply be turned or if other toolr; are to be used they may be readily substituted. (lbviously. either a pulling' or pushing' ell'ort on the part of tbe operator applied at the end of the handle 1S) will force tbe beam 2ll downwardly and thereby maintain the tool in tbe ground. Either a pushing' or pulling1 action will be transmitted through the bracket 1.1. link 29., and yoke 1Q to the wheel lt). independently of the tool beam.

lt should be underatood that mnnerous nuulilicatione` may be made in the structure illustrated and described without departingr from the scope of the invention which is delined in the following' claims.

This application is a continuation in parl of my cio-pending application. IQerial No. 567.368, filed .lune lt). 10:22.

I claim 1. A hand garden implement tool ol theY class described comprising a rotatable ground engaging member. a shaft carrrini said member. a tool beam. a ejround penet ratinfr tool mounted on said beam. a linli pir-- otally connected at one end to said beam and at its other end connected to l aid shalt. a draft arm havingl a fulcrum on said linlq. between said ground tool and said lshaft. said arm beingr operatively connected to said beam whereby pivotal movement of said arm about, its axis in one direction will ell`ect pix otal movement ot said beam aboutl its own axis to cause said tool upon forward more ment of the implement to penetrate the ground.

Q. A hand garden implement of the elim described coiniririsint: a rotatable groinul en gaging member, a shaft caiiryiner said member, a tool beam. a ground in netratinpf tool monntedon said beam. a link pivotall).r eonnected at one end to said beam and at its other end connected to said shaft. a pull or SII tlf)

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draft arm having a fulcruin on said link and adapted to apply pressure to said beam to move the latter about its pivot and thereby to force said tool upon forward movement of the device into the ground, said arm when moved about its fulcrum to apply pi'essure to the tool projecting in the opposite direction from said tool.

4. In a device of the class described, a ground engaging and supporting member, a link connected to said member, a tool beam pivotally connected to said link, a ground penetrating tool carried by said beam adjacent one end thereof, a draft arm having a fulcrum on said link between the tool and said supporting member, said arm having a `free manually engageable end and operatively associated adjacent its other end with said beam, whereby when moved about its fulcrum the arm serves to actuate said beam and to force said tool into the ground, said arm, when moved about its fulcrum to apply pressure to the tool, projecting away from said tool.

5. In a device of the class described, a ground engaging and supporting member, a link connected'to said member, a't-ool beam pivotally connected tof said link, a ground penetrating tool 'carried by said beam adjacent one end thereof,a draft arm having a fulcrum on said link between the tool and said supporting member, said arm havinga free manually engageable end and operative-- ly associated adjacent its other end with` said beam, whereby when moved about its fulcrum the arm serves to actu'ate said beam and to force said tool into the ground upon forward movement of the device, said arm when moved to force the tool into the ground projecting in they same direction in which the tool is to be drawn whereby to serve as a pull means forthe device.

6. In a device of the class described, a rotatable ground engaging and supporting member, an axle for said member, a link connected to said axle, a tool beam pivotally connected to the link and carrying a ground penetrating tool, a draft arm having a ful crum on said link, said arm being operatively associated with the beam, whereby, when moved about said fulcrum, the arni actuates the beam to force the tool toward the ground,

tatable ground engaging and supporting member, an axle for said member, a link connected to said axle, a tool beain pivotally connected to the link and having a ground penetrating tool thereon, a draft arm having a fulcrum on the link between said tool and the axle and having a portion at one end kfor manual engagement and a second portion adf jacent its other-end operatively engaging said beam to foice the tool into the ground upon forward moveme'ntof thedevice, said arm being movable about its fulcrum away from said tool to apply pressure tothe beam and force the tool into the ground.

8. In a device of the class described, a ro tatable ground engaging and supporting member, an axle for said member, a link connected to said axle, a tool beam pivotally connected to said link and having a ground penetrating tool thereon, a draft arm having a fulcrum on the link and having a portion engagingsaid beam, whereby to move the latter about its pivot and force the tool toward the ground when the arm is pivotally moved, said arm when pivotally moved to actuate the tool beam projecting away from the tool. 1 v

9. In a: device ofthe class. described, a rotatable ground engaging and supporting member, an axle for said member, a link connected to said axle, a tool beam pivotally connected to said link and having a ground Vpenetrating toolthereon, adraft arm having a fulcrum on the `link and having a portion engaging said beam, whereby to` move the latter about its pivot and force the tool to- Eil ward the ground when the arm is pivotally moved, said arm when pivotally moved to actuate the tool beam projectingaway from the tool, and inthe direction the device is operative whereby to serve as a pull means.

llO

l0. In a deviceof the'class described, a

rotatable ground engaging and ysupporting member, an axle for said member, a. link earried by the axle, a tool carrying beam pivotallyconnected to said link, the link having v a portion extending beside"y said'fbeam, a

ground penetrating tool on the beam, a draft arm having a fulcru'm on said portion of the link between said member andthe tool and, Y when moved about its pivot, projecting over said member away from the tool and serving to apply pressure to said beam, whereby to `force the tool into the ground upon forward movement of the device.

l1. A device of the class described, comprising a rotatable ground yengaging andy supporting member, an axle for said member, a link connected to the axle, a tool carrying beam pivotally connected to said link,

a ground penetrating tool on the beam, a.

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draft arm having a fulcrum on the link spaced tf1-om the connection between said link and beam and operativeljvy associated with said beam, whereby7 to move the latter and `force Said tool toward the ground when the arm is moved about its fulcrum.

12. A device ot' the class described, comprisng a rotatable ground engaging and `upporting member, an axle for said member. a link connected to the axle, a tool carrying beam pivotally connected to said link, a ground penetrating tool on the beam, a draft arm having` a tulcrum on the link spaced l'rom the connection between said link and beam and operatively associated with said beam. whereby to move the latter and force said tool into the ground when the arm is moved about its fulcrum and the device is forwardly moved, said arm when moved to force the tool into the ground projecting away trom the tool and having its free end arranged adjacent said ground engaging and supporting` member, whereby to serve, as a pull means lor the devcc.

li. A hand garden tool ot the class de- .-erihed cinuprising a rotatable ground engagingmember, a shaft carrvingieaid member, a beam, a ground penetrating tool mounted on Said beam, a link pivotallv connected at one end to said beam and at its other end connected to said ground engaging member, an arm pivotally connected to Said link` said arm being operativelyv connected to Said beam whereb)Y pivotal movement oll ,Caid arm about its axis in one direction will ellect pivotal movement ot said beam about its own axis to cause said tool to penetrate the ground upon tor 1ard movement ot' the device.

ll. A. hand garden tool ot' the class described cinnprising a rotatable ground engaging memlaer, a shattcarrying said member, a beam, a ground penetratingr tool mounted on said beam, a link pivotally connected at one end to said beam and at its other end connected to Said ground engaging member, a pull drat't arm pivot-ally connect-- ed to said link, Said arm being operatively connected to Said beam whereby pivotal movement olt said arm about itel axis in one direction will etlect pivotal movement of Said beam about its own axis to cause Said tool to penetrate the ground upon forward movement' of the device.

l5. A, hand garden tool comprising a rotatable ground engaging member havingr an axial shaft, a link pivotally connected to said ground engaging member at said shaft. a tool carrying beam pivotally connected to said link at a point spaced from `aid ground engaging` member, a ground penetrating tool on said beam, and a pull" dra lil arm operatively connected with said beam to ell'eet movement ot the same about its` pivot, and extending 'forwardly over said ground cngaging member.

ltj. ,t hand garden tool compriein;` a rotatable ground engaging member having an a\'ial1-;hal`t,a link pivotallv connected to said ground engaging member at said shaft, a tool carnving beam pivotally connected to said link at a point spaced from said lround engaging' member, a ground IJcnetrating tool on said beam, and a "pull" dra l't arm operativelv connected with said beam to ellect. movement ot the same aboutits pivot. and extending forwardly over said ground engaging member. eald` draft arm being adjustable relative to said ground penetrating tool.

17. A hand garden tool comprising a rotatable ground engaging member havin;r an axial Shaft, a link pivotally connected to eaid grouml engaging member at. said shaft. a tool carrying beam pivotally connected to said link at a point spaced vfrom said ground engaging member, a ground penetrating tool on said beam directed toward said ground engaging member. and a pull dral't arm operatively connected with eaid beam to etiect movement ot the same about is pivot and extending forwardly over said ground engaging member.

18. In a device of the claas, described, a pair of links pivotallyv connected. a rotat able ground engaging member mounted on one of said links, a beam pivotall1 secured to one ot said links, a draft arm pivotallv connected to said links, said beam and :aid arm being operatively connected whereby pivotal movement of the arm in one direction will cause pivotal lmivement of said beam, and a ground penetrating tool mounted on said beam aml adapted to be forced toward the ground when said beam is moved in one direction b v said arm.

In testimony whereof I have lnfreuntoeet. my hand.

FRANK I'IURKA.

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